The Political and Economic History of a People

Slaves were used in many different countries and colonies throughout the Americas.  A colony called Saint-Domingue, located on the little island of Hispaniola was not immune to the practice.  On January 1, 1804, Saint-Domingue was conquered by slaves.  Led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the slaves were able to conquer the French government and make history renaming their new country Haiti.  After the assassination of Dessalines, two years after the revolt, Haiti suffered at the hand of many a harsh ruler.  Many times Haiti has had to have other, bigger countries occupy its borders, to keep safe the citizens of the former slave-ran country. 

Haiti was considered an autocratic government ran by the Duvalier family in 1957 to 1986; however, the Duvalier family was considered very corrupt and went into exile.  The country is now a democratic country with a semi-presidential republic.  The president is able to take office by election of the people.  He appoints a Prime minister and he, the President and the Prime Minister run the country.  The current President of the developing nation is René Préval, who took office in 2006.  (TDS)

Haiti has been masked with such a bad history of corruption that the people no longer have trust in their government.  President René Préval has attempted to reunify Haiti to no avail.  Préval’s attempts include the privatizations of governmental businesses, allowing less imports to come in so that farmers could benefit from food sells, and the asking of aid from Venezuela.  Riots broke out in April 2008 due to the countries lack of wealth, the people were angered and demanded the president to do something that would bring food into their homes.  They believe that it was the fault of the president of why the cost of food was so high.   According to an article “We Are Hungry” by Carolyn Bennett, “A fifth of the food consumed in Haiti is imported, and imports have lowered overall food prices, thereby further impoverishing struggling farmers.”  The majority of the workers in Haiti are farm workers, agriculture being the main labor force on the island with a population 10,033,000. (WIKI)  The literacy rate in adults is 67%, according to UCEF.  No matter how many programs are implemented by the president, education must be stressed and other skills employed in the country in order for the people to realize any profits from their labor. 

Haiti’s estimated GDP in 2008 is 11.59 billion.  The growth rate being only 2.3%, inflation estimated at 8.1% in 2007.  Amazingly, Haiti’s natural resources are Bauxite, which is a very important aluminum product needed in the world; Copper; Calcium Carbonate, used in calcium supplements and antacids; Gold, and Marble.  The natural agriculture, which amounts to 27% of GDP is coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, cacao (which is used to make chocolate), sorghum, pulses, and other fruits and vegetables.  Industry only accounts for 8% of GDP these include apparel, handicrafts, electronics assembly, food processing, beverages, tobacco products, furniture, printing, chemicals, and steel.

Economic relations in Haiti are not strong with the United States, in fact, the relationship is geared more towards aid.  The amount of products imported to the US from Haiti 450,083.  The amount of exports, however to Haiti from the U.S., is 943,991, according to the US Census Bureau (US Census Bureau).  The main products that are exported to this country from Haiti is Wheat, rice, bakery products, cotton, and parts for military type goods.  The main imports into Haiti are Household goods and apparel (cottons & textiles). 

Port Au Prince is the capital of Haiti, and prior to the massive earthquake was also one of the main tourist attractions of the island.  40% of Haiti’s GDP comes from services, such as commerce, government, restaurants, tourism, and hotels.  The capital hosts such architecture and places of interest such as the State University of Haiti, the National Museum, the Art Center, the National Library, a polytechnic college, the National Palace, a technical institute, the French-built stone quay of 1780, and the Basilica of Notre Dame.  Most of these landmarks now lay in ruin.

Looking at brochures and other propaganda coming from desks of travel agents, you would never see the true side of Haiti.  These glossy advertisements show beauty and wonder beyond compare.  It stands in great contrast to the meager daft pictures you find online when you research the country.  You find children with big eyes pleading for food, you see adults with no hope, you see a nation that has yet to shake off the ghostly chains of slavery.

Sources Cited

Author:  Carolyn Bennett “We Are Hungry” Haiti Action Committee <http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/html/eugenics/essay8text.html> Date accessed 26 November 2009

Travel Documents Systems, Inc. < http://www.traveldocs.com/ht/economy.htm > Date 25 November 2009

UNICEF < http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti_statistics.html > Date 27 November 2009 08/27/2004

US Census Bureau < http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/product/enduse/ > Date 2 December 2009

Pierre, Gaettagor.  Personal Interview.  12/3/2009